Police Specialist William Richard Oligee PS-126
(1926 to 2024)

Bill was born August 7, 1926 to Mr. and Mrs. Clarence Oligee. He attended Terrace Park High School, where he lettered in baseball, worked on the annual, was elected secretary of the Hi-Y Club, and graduated in 1944. He also attended the Ohio Military Institute and Littleton Nelson business school.

During World War II, just after his 18^th birthday, on September 26, 1944, Bill enlisted in the United States Navy. After basic training at Great Lakes Naval Center, Seaman 2/c Oligee went to Bainbridge, Maryland for training as a signalman. In July 1945, Seaman 1/c Oligee transferred to Farragut, Idaho Naval Depot. On September 28, 1945 he was assigned aboard the U.S.S. Essex, the lead ship of the Essex Class aircraft carriers. By then the Essex was employed primarily to support the conquest of  Okinawa and, in the closing days of the war, the final telling raids against the Japanese home islands. Signalman 3/c Oligee was honorably discharged on July 16, 1946.

He married Janet Snider on October 1, 1948.

From 1949 to 1953, Bill worked as a driver/repairman for Ohio Valley Sales Company. Until 1956 he worked as a field representative for Sterling Finance Loans, Pacific Finance Loans, and First National Credit Bureau.

Bill joined the Cincinnati Police Division in its 31^st Recruit Class on April 30, 1956. On August 13^th, he was promoted to Patrolman, issued Badge 702, and assigned to District 7 (813 Beecher Street). One year later, he was rotated to District 1 (310 Lincoln Park Drive), and a year later to District 6 (3295 Erie Avenue). At his request, he transferred back to District 1 on February 22, 1959. On May 16, 1959, he, and his partner, while patrolling their beat, found a 35-year-old female on the ground being robbed in Van Horn Alley. They chased after and caught the would-be robber. He transferred to District 4 (7017 Vine Street) on January 10, 1965. On February 27, 1966, as a result of the first examination given for the rank, he was promoted to Police Specialist and issued the newly minted Badge PS-126. Specialist Oligee was transferred to the Intelligence Section on May 5, 1974. He transferred back to District 2 (formerly District 6) on December 5, 1976. Specialist Oligee retired July 19, 1981 with 27 years of service to his country and community and seven letters of appreciation and/or commendation.

He went on for the next 24 years at Proctor and Gramble and Toyota.

He sang in the Scottish Rite Choir for over 35 years, was a volunteer at the Syrian Shrine Children’s Hospital for many years and received the Meritorious Service Award in 2010 from the Valley of Cincinnati. He was a 32^nd Degree Mason of the Norwood Lodge, a volunteer at the Greenacres Education Foundation in Indian Hill for many years, and a member of the Ohio Valley Antique Machinery Club.

Last October, Specialist and Mrs. Oligee celebrated their 75th wedding anniversary.

Specialist Oligee died August 29, 2024 at the age of 98. At the time of his death, he was the oldest living retired Cincinnati Police employee.

He was predeceased by his son, Douglas E. Oligee. Specialist Oligee is survived by his wife, Janet (Snider) Oligee; son, William Dean (Brenda Droege) Oligee; five grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren.

There are no services planned. Memorials may be sent to the Syrian Shrine Children’s Hospital, or charity of your choice.

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